Public comment during Monday’s City Council meeting offered a sneak peak of the likely debate that’ll take place as the city undergoes the process of updating its zoning code.

Those in favor of upzoning and full rewrite of the zoning code will argue that exclusionary zoning has discriminated against lower-income people, disproportionately impacting racial minorities.

“Minor tweaks to an exclusionary zoning code built on a foundation of segregationist zoning seems equally antithetical to what we purportedly value as Evanstonians” – Frank Hill

“Zoning should represent the principles of the overall community, not protect the interest of the privileged” – Scott Roberts

Those opposed to more housing density will raise concerns of losing single-family homes entirely or the aesthetic of their neighborhoods as reason to limit zoning changes to just simple update.

“Please City Council, don’t destroy the charm, the character of Evanston by destroying single family neighborhoods” – Alf McConnell

“I never realized how evil aspiring to home ownership was … One size does not fit all” – Michael Lohr.

But will the efforts to keep multi-unit housing out of some residential areas in Evanston all be for naught if Gov. JB Pritizer gets his way?

Prtizker announced during the State of the State address last week his “Building Up Illinois Developments” or BUILD Plan, a housing initiative which he said would lower costs by making it “easier, faster and more cost-effective to build homes in Illinois.”

A cornerstone piece of this proposal are statewide zoning changes that would limit the control municipalities have in deciding what type of housing can be built in residential areas.

The plan, first reported by Captiol News Illinois, would bar minimum lot sizes greater than 2,500 square feet for detached single-family homes.

For lots larger than 2,500 square feet the bill would permit up to four dwelling units on a lot between 2,500 and 5,000 square feet in size, six on lots up to 7,500 square feet and eight units on lots larger than 7,500 square feet.

Currently much of Evanston is zoned either R1 or R2 — zones that only permit single-family uses and require minimum lot sizes of 7,200 and 5,000 square feet respectively.

If the plan were to become law, nearly all areas of Evanston zoned as residential would be open for multi-family housing. According to city spokesperson Cynthia Vargas, around 95% of residential parcels are over 2,500 square feet.

The governor’s plan is still in its early stages and will need approval from the General Assembly — which could change or kill it. Bills to enact the proposed rules have been filed in both the Senate and House.

Similarly, the process to update Evanston’s zoning code has just begun, as council members approved a scope of services document that’ll guide the selection of a consulting firm who will lead the process.

READ MORE: A recap of the hour and half discussion between alders regarding the scope of services document.

• Plus, after four consecutive meetings considering the measure, council members approved new restrictions on vacation rentals in the city.

ICYMI

The Land Use Commission voted Wednesday to delay consideration of a proposed five-story apartment building on Emerson Street until March 25, after concerns were raised by a nearby property owner and members of the adjacent Ebenezer A.M.E Church.

The development, proposed by PM Properties, would replace two aging multi-family homes at 1103 and 1105 Emerson.

Read more about the Land Use hearing here.

What’s happening outside of Evanston?

• Chicago’s Department of Planning and Development announced earlier this month the third round of developers as part of its “missing middle” housing initiative to construct 35 unit-unit buildings that’ll add 99 market-rate, for-sale units on vacant city lots in the McKinley Park, East Garfield Park and West Garfield Park neighborhoods. (City of Chicago)

• Skokie Village Board voted on Feb. 17 to approve a 68-townhome development on the site of a former Hebrew day school. The project’s developer said construction will “hopefully” begin this summer and anticipates it being completed in 18-24 months. (The Record North Shore)